SCSP Training Programme on “Alternative livelihood options for fishers” at CIFRI, Kochi
The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan programme was organized by CIFRI Kochi Centre on 27 th April
2019. Twenty-five Scheduled Caste fishers from various districts of Kerala participated in the
SCSP programme. The fishermen belonged to Alappuzha (1), Kottayam (8) and Ernakulam (16)
districts of Kerala.
Dr. Rani Palaniswamy, OIC, CIFRI Kochi Centre welcomed all the fishers and all the CIFRI
staff to this programme. She encouraged the participants to gain know how from these trainings
and harness the schemes promoted by the state and central agencies for them. The programme
was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Shri. C. Jayanarayanan, Joint Director of Fisheries,
Ernakulam. He suggested that the fishers have to choose alternative fishing options which suits
them the best and he commented that SC schemes were not effectively utilized by the people and
hence the fund is being lapsed every year. Dr. Rani Palaniswamy interacted with the fishers by
explaining the activities of the Centre and by making the fishers aware about the Scheduled
Caste Sub Plan initiated by the Centre for improving the livelihood of SC people associated with
fisheries sector. The programme involved lectures taken by Dr. Deepa Sudheesan on ‘Fish
culture systems in Inland open waters’ and by Dr. Thankam Theresa Paul on ‘Freshwater fish
culture as an alternative livelihood for fishers’. The fishermen actively participated in the
programme and the discussion thereafter. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr.
Deepa Sudheesan. The venue and all the associated paraphernalia for the successful conduct of
the meeting was arranged by Shri. S.Manoharan, CTO and Mrs. Usha Unnithan.